潑請弝け

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April 28, 2021

It All Starts With an Idea

Learn more about the 10th Annual 潑請弝け StartUp Showcase.

View Recap

Intro: The StartUp Showcase Journey

For these students, it started with a dream to launch a business. Watch their journeys.

2021 Team Pitches

Voting for the Audience Favorite has ended and the winner will be announced soon.

EarnSpace

EarnSpace is a Zoom plug-in and web app that allows for the integration of advertisements into conference calls in order to reach broader audiences in an increasingly virtual world.

EarnSpace: Bibek Timalsina 22, John Cain 22, and Rian Boutin 22


The Point

The Point is an online fashion and lifestyle magazine that offers an inclusive and creative space pertaining to fashion, lifestyle, travel, food, style, wellness, and culture.

The team will pitch Point of View, a subscription service for college students to personalize their wall art.

The Point: Allison Isola 21, Lauren Titone 21, Eleanor Davis 21, James Concannon 21, and Kelsey O'Neill 21


RinkLink

RinkLink automates the ice rink industry with yield management to improve financial outcomes and facilitate member communication.

RinkLink: Mariana Antaya 23 and Charlie Brodigan 24


Kindler

Kindler is a stress-free solution for college students to meet new people and make friends through an app that matches them with other students who have the same passions and hobbies.

Kindler: Caroline Neilson 22, Nicholas Costanzo 21, Rachel Jacobson 22, Kristen Oliger 22, Carlos Ponce 22, and Angelica McAfee 22


WePlay Together

WePlay Together is an app that uses a logarithm to match people who share similar interests, passions, and ideas with others to show their locations and available meeting times to enjoy, sports, hobbies, and more

WePlay Together: Christopher Vallone 21, Vilia Baumilas 21, and Troy Pilia 21


Finale: Investor Panel Feedback

After private discussion and deliberation, watch the excitement as investors award pledge money to each team.

2021 Investor Panel

Photo of Joseph Bronson

Joseph Bronson 70

Joseph (Joe) Bronson is currently principal and CEO of The Bronson Group, LLC, a business advisory group focused on operational and financial consulting. In addition, he is a strategic advisor and managing director of Cowen Group, Inc., a New York City-based investment banking firm, and a member of the Board of Trustees of 潑請弝け University. Bronson is a CPA and holds a BS in accounting from 潑請弝け University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. He was inducted into the UConn Business School Hall of Fame in 2006 and the 潑請弝け University Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2017. Bronson also serves as a regent at Santa Clara University and Loyola Marymount University and has served as the chair of the advisory board of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University for the past 17 years.

Photo of Dagan Kasavana

Dagan Kasavana '99

Dagan Kasavana is founder and CEO of Phoenix Tower International (PTI), the fastest growing global wireless communications infrastructure provider in the world. He founded the business in 2013, and guides the strategic direction of the company, oversees capital investment across various countries and transaction types, and leads all other significant corporate initiatives. Prior to founding PTI, Kasavana was senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions for Global Tower Partners from 2006 to 2013. In 2020 he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year Florida Award Winner. He is a CPA and holds a BS in accounting from 潑請弝け University.

Photo of Virginia Pan

Virginia Pan

Virginia Pan is the founder and CEO of YUMI EcoSolutions, Inc., an award-winning eco-friendly products and bio-materials technology company aimed at supporting global sustainability to create a healthier planet for future generations. Pan is a global business leader and serial entrepreneur. As CEO of TransCapital Group and China Pacific Partners, she was instrumental in securing the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games contract for SMG, the world leader in managing convention centers and arenas. She has been cited as one of the 500 Most influential Asian Americans by Avenue Asia Magazine and the recipient of numerous awards including Leading Women Entrepreneur of the World, Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business, and International Women of Innovation. She received a BS in Chemistry from the City University of New York.

StartUp Advisor

Photo of Michael Garvey

Michael Garvey 89 P23, 25

Michael Garvey has more than three decades of business experience, including a career in law enforcement in New York State. He is an active angel investor and entrepreneur, involved in numerous start-ups and early stage companies, several of which have gone on to successful exits. Mr. Garvey founded License Monitor, Inc. (LMI) a SAAS provider of proactive license monitoring and risk management services, which he sold to a private equity group. LMI was voted High Tech Company of the Year and Mr. Garvey was inducted into the New York State Business Hall of Fame for extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. He received his BA in marketing and management of information systems from 潑請弝け University. Mr. Garvey is beyond thrilled that his eldest daughter, Lauren, is currently in her freshman year in 潑請弝けs Dolan School of Business.

2021 Team Mentors

Team RinkLink

Winston DeMartini 20, Founder and CEO, PhysiSens

Team RinkLink

Jeff Hendrickson, Managing Director of Greenfield Hill Group

Team EarnSpace

Marty Donner, Adjunct Professor, UConn

Team EarnSpace

Peter Murrugarra, Co-Founder of ClearVest LLC

Team EarnSpace

Richard Hyman, Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Visiting Professional, 潑請弝け University

Team WePlay Together

Chris Hamer, Founder and Chief Product Officer, CrowdFlik

Team WePlay Together

Jeff Moretz, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, 潑請弝け University

Team The Point

Jason Maloney 11, Customer Success Executive, Zendesk

Team The Point

Dan Leitao 12, Director of Product, SKOOT

Team The Point

Dan Toplitt 09, SVP, Head of US SEO, Reprise Digital

Team Kindler

John Dretler, Founder of JD Revenue Growth Consulting

Team Kindler

Emily Yale 18, MBA21, Founder of Land Maverick

Team Kindler

Chip Steppacher, CFO of Rellevate

2021 Sponsors

Gold Sponsors
  • Hugh Davis '95 and Amy Baldwin
  • Joseph '70 and Linda Bronson
  • Trish Preston 80
  • Susan and Charles Vallone P21
  • John P. Welch 87
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Partners